As much as possible, I always try to make things simple, especially when it comes to a daily skincare regimen, from cleansing to nourishing and protecting. But when the regimen includes targeting specific problems such as hyperpigmentation, it gets slightly complex. Such was what happened when I gave the Marie Veronique Organics (MVO) Skin Lightening Duet a significant part in my nighttime routine.

All I needed was a gentle squirt of the serum and about one-third of the vitamin C powder from the supplement capsule, mixed in the middle of my palm and applied only on the areas with melasma and brown spots. I decided that I didn’t need to use the full contents of the capsule as directed, since I really just want to target specific spots and not apply the mixture on my whole face, neck nor chest, as stated on the product label.

Despite the additional task of having to carefully 1) open the capsule, 2) pour out only the needed amount of the peach colored powder supplement, 3)shake the bottle, 4) gently squirt out the herbal-scented brownish liquid, then 5) mix the two products, it was well worth the effort and diligence. After seven weeks of usage, I can honestly detect a noticeable difference on the targeted areas. The melasma appears somewhat lighter, the skin tone a bit more even, and the skin texture around these spot areas is somehow improved. That was enough of a plus to not quit, even if the hyperpigmentation has only been slightly diminished, and anyway it does appear to be in the process of gradually fading. I have high hopes that with continued application the Skin Lightening Duet will eventually work as naturally as possible on my maturing skin.

As gathered from the completely informative MVO website, the powerful natural ingredients packed in the lightening serum includes: paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifer) with its phenylderivatives known to lighten and even skin tones and reduce hyperpigmentation; two types of licorice (dipotassium glycyrrhizate) that contains Glabridin, a natural skin brightener and antioxidant; bearberry (Uva ursi) extracts, which produce beta-arbutin, providing a natural derivative of the skin lightener hydroquinone without the risks or side effects; blackberry seed oil (Rubus fruticosus), a highly stable source of vitamin C known to improve skin tone; Niacinamide, a good source of vitamin B that inhibits melanosome to induce brighter skin; Centrophenoxine, containing DMAE and pCPA, which dissolve and remove lipofuscin deposits responsible for age spots; pearl powder containing proteins, vitamin B complex and polysaccharides that slow down the development of melanin and facilitate the fading of pigmentation spots; and curcumin, containing diferuloyl methane, which lightens hyperpigmentation.

The powder supplement is just as significant, providing extra skin-lightening support with active ingredients such as l-ascorbic acid, which increases levels of collagen and prevents and repairs damage from hydroxyl free radicals; kojic acid, a natural by-product from sake fermentation that inhibits melanin production; dipotassium glycyrrhizate or licorice extract; Niacinamide; and n-acetyl glucosamine, providing hyaluronic acid for smoother, plumped up skin.

The MVO Skin Lightening Duet combines the power of the Skin Lightening Serum and the extra boost of the Skin Lightening Vitamin C Supplement to answer every woman’s fervent desire to have radiant, even skin tone. The product combo sounds pricey for the $175 price tag on the 1 oz. bottle of serum and the supplement jar of 50 capsules. However, with the way I used the products as I mentioned, the “duet” will likely last for another two to three months, and that amounts to only approximately $35 per month. For all the wonderful, natural and effective goodies contained in the “duet,” as mentioned above, I wouldn’t call myself extravagant for purchasing this when the complimentary supply runs out. After all, one only is young once and it’s worth it to try to stay so naturally and with extra help from such pure products made by Marie Veronique Organics.